What Does Putting Ghee in Your Coffee Do? Benefits, Risks, and How to Make It

November 22, 2025 •

3 min read

While the "bulletproof coffee" trend is a modern phenomenon, the practice of adding clarified butter, like ghee, to coffee has been a tradition in cultures like Ethiopia for centuries. So, what does putting ghee in your coffee do for your morning routine and overall health?

Quick Summary

Adding ghee to coffee can provide sustained energy, aid digestion by reducing acidity, and assist with weight management by increasing satiety and metabolism. This blend of coffee and clarified butter also enhances flavor, texture, and can offer a host of nutrient-dense benefits.

Key Points

Sustained Energy: The healthy fats in ghee slow caffeine absorption, providing a more prolonged, crash-free energy boost.
Improved Digestion: Ghee helps reduce coffee's acidity, while butyric acid supports gut health and reduces inflammation.
Weight Management Support: Healthy fats in ghee increase satiety, helping to curb appetite and reduce snacking.
Enhanced Mental Clarity: Ghee's fats, including MCTs, fuel the brain, potentially improving focus and cognitive function.
Not a Meal Replacement: Due to its high calorie and fat content, ghee coffee should supplement, not replace, a balanced breakfast.

Understanding Ghee and the Ghee Coffee Trend

Ghee coffee is an offshoot of the popular "bulletproof coffee" trend, a high-fat, low-carb drink embraced by followers of the ketogenic diet. Ghee, a type of clarified butter, is created by simmering butter to remove the water and milk solids, leaving behind a pure, shelf-stable, and nutty-flavored fat. Its use in coffee has ancient roots, with cultures in Ethiopia and Tibet adding clarified butter or yak butter to beverages for energy. Today, wellness enthusiasts blend high-quality coffee with ghee to create a creamy, energizing morning beverage.

The Reported Benefits of Adding Ghee to Your Coffee

Provides Sustained Energy and Mental Clarity

Adding ghee to coffee can provide sustained energy and mental clarity. The fats in ghee help slow down the absorption of caffeine, leading to a smoother energy release and avoiding the typical caffeine crash. The medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) in ghee are particularly beneficial for cognitive function and focus.

Supports Digestive Health and Reduces Acidity

Ghee can make coffee gentler on the stomach by neutralizing its acidity. It also contains butyric acid, which supports gut health and can reduce inflammation.

Aids in Weight Management

Adding ghee to coffee can support weight management efforts.

Increases Satiety: The fats promote fullness, helping to reduce appetite and cravings.
Boosts Metabolism: MCTs in ghee can be converted to ketones, supporting fat burning, while caffeine also increases metabolic rate.

Delivers Fat-Soluble Vitamins

Ghee contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, and adding it to coffee can enhance their absorption. These vitamins are important for various bodily functions, including vision, bone health, and immunity.

Potential Drawbacks and Considerations

While beneficial for many, ghee coffee is not for everyone. Some factors to consider include:

High Calorie and Fat Content: Regular consumption of this calorie-dense drink without overall dietary balance can lead to weight gain.
Cholesterol Concerns: Ghee contains saturated fats, so individuals with high cholesterol or heart conditions should consult a healthcare professional.
Not a Meal Replacement: Ghee coffee lacks essential nutrients and should not replace a balanced breakfast.
Digestive Issues: Some individuals, especially those with dairy sensitivities, might experience digestive discomfort.

Ghee vs. Butter in Coffee


Feature	Ghee	Butter	Notes
Lactose/Casein	Free of both	Contains both	Ghee is better for lactose-sensitive individuals.
Flavor Profile	Nutty, rich	Creamy, buttery	Ghee offers a distinct, nuttier taste.
Smoke Point	Higher (485°F)	Lower (350°F)	Ghee is more stable at higher temperatures.
Nutrient Density	Concentrated nutrients	Contains similar nutrients	Both are sources of healthy fats and vitamins.
Shelf-Stability	Shelf-stable	Not shelf-stable	Ghee does not require refrigeration.

How to Make Ghee Coffee

Making ghee coffee is simple and results in a creamy, rich drink.

Ingredients:

1 cup freshly brewed black coffee
1 to 2 teaspoons of high-quality, grass-fed ghee
Optional: Natural sweetener like stevia, or spices like cinnamon or cardamom

Instructions:

Brew your coffee: Prepare one cup of hot, freshly brewed black coffee.
Add the ghee: Combine the hot coffee with 1-2 teaspoons of ghee in a blender or mug.
Blend for creaminess: Blend for 20-30 seconds until the mixture is frothy and creamy. Thorough blending is key to the desired texture.
Serve and enjoy: Pour and drink immediately.

Conclusion

Adding ghee to coffee can create a flavorful and functional morning drink. It can provide sustained energy, improve mental clarity, and support digestive health. For those following low-carb or ketogenic diets, it may also help with weight management. However, due to its high calorie and fat content, it's important to consume in moderation and consider potential health implications, especially for individuals with heart conditions or high cholesterol. Consult a healthcare professional before making significant dietary changes. For more information on butter coffee, you can visit Healthline.

Note: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before dietary changes, particularly with pre-existing conditions.

Tips for Enjoying Ghee Coffee

Use high-quality A2 cow ghee for better flavor and nutrients.
Enhance taste with flavorings like vanilla, cinnamon, or cocoa powder.
Add natural sweeteners like honey or stevia if preferred.
Experiment with spices such as cardamom, ginger, or turmeric for added flavor and potential health benefits.
Add dairy or plant-based milk for extra creaminess, though this will differ from a traditional 'bulletproof' recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ghee coffee can assist with weight loss by increasing satiety and metabolism, especially on a low-carb or ketogenic diet. However, it is high in calories, so moderation is key, and it is not a magic bullet for weight loss without a balanced diet and exercise.

Yes, many people find ghee coffee delicious. Blending the ghee into hot coffee creates a rich, creamy, and frothy texture with a pleasant, nutty flavor.

Ghee is a better choice for those with lactose sensitivity or dairy allergies, as the milk solids are removed during clarification. It also has a higher smoke point and a distinct nutty flavor, though the overall health benefits and nutritional profiles are similar to grass-fed butter.

For a standard cup of coffee, a good starting point is 1 to 2 teaspoons of ghee. You can adjust the amount to find your preferred level of creaminess and richness.

Yes, many proponents of ghee coffee drink it on an empty stomach as a breakfast replacement, particularly when following intermittent fasting or a keto diet. The fats help provide energy and suppress appetite without spiking blood sugar.

Individuals with heart disease, high cholesterol, or a condition requiring a low-fat diet should be cautious due to ghee's high saturated fat content. Those with dairy allergies should also avoid it.

While some people add milk, the purpose of blending ghee is to create a creamy texture without the milk solids. It is often a personal preference, though it will alter the original 'bulletproof' style recipe.